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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions in adults:chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC)irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) Linzess comes as an oral capsule. It belongs to a class of drugs called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. At this time, Linzess is only available in a brand-name form. There’s currently no generic version of Linzess. This article describes typical dosages for Linzess provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Linzess, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Linzess dosage Before you start treatment with Linzess, your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you. Linzess form Linzess comes as an oral capsule. Linzess strengths Linzess comes in three strengths:72 micrograms (mcg)145 mcg290 mcg Typical adult dosages The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Dosage for chronic idiopathic constipation The recommended starting dose of Linzess to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is 145 mcg per day. This is the highest dose (which may also be called the maximum dosage) of Linzess that’s recommended for CIC. In some cases, such as if you have side effects from Linzess, your doctor may recommend a different dose of Linzess. They may recommend taking a lower dose of 72 mcg per day. This is the lowest dosage of the drug that’s recommended to treat CIC. Your doctor can help determine the best dosage amount of Linzess for you. Dosage for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation The typical dosage of Linzess for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) is 290 mcg per day. This is the only recommended dosage of Linzess for this use, so it’s the lowest dose, and maximum dosage recommended to treat IBS-C. If you have questions about the best dosing schedule for you, talk with your doctor. Long-term treatment Linzess is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Linzess is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. Frequently asked questions Below are some frequently asked questions about Linzess. Is Linzess meant to be taken twice a day No, Linzess is not meant to be taken twice per day. This medication should only be taken once per day on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 30 minutes before your first meal of the day. However, another medication used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), called Amitiza (lubiprostone), is typically taken twice per day. If you have questions about other treatment options for your condition, talk with your doctor. What are the maximum and lowest doses of Linzess The maximum and lowest doses of Linzess that are recommended will depend on the condition you’re taking the drug to treat. For CIC, the lowest dose recommended is 72 micrograms (mcg), and the maximum is 145 mcg. To treat IBS-C, the typical dosage is 290 mcg. This is both the lowest dose and maximum dose recommended for this condition. For more information about Linzess dosages, see the “Linzess dosage” section above. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor. How to take Linzess Linzess is available as an oral capsule that you swallow. Before you start taking Linzess, your doctor will discuss dosing instructions with you. You should take your dose of Linzess on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before your first meal of the day. Make sure to swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew the capsule. If you’re having trouble swallowing Linzess, you can open the capsule and mix the contents into applesauce or water. Sprinkling Linzess on other soft foods or liquids has not been evaluated. To mix Linzess into applesauce, open the capsule contents and mix the contents into one teaspoon of room temperature applesauce. Take this mixture right away. Do not store the mixed dose to take later. To mix Linzess with water: Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into 30 milliliters (mL) of room temperature water. Swirl the mixture for about 20 seconds to dissolve the beads. Swallow the mixture.Add another 30 mL of water to the cup, swirl again for 20 seconds, and drink. Step 4 is recommended in case any of the dose sticks to the inside of your cup. Always take your dose of Linzess right away after mixing it. Do not store the mixture for later. Linzess may also be given by a nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding tube if needed. If you have questions about the dosage directions for Linzess or how to take your dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS f you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. The Linzess dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of the condition you’re using Linzess to treat. Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Linzess dosage. Factors that can affect your dosage The Linzess dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of the condition you’re using Linzess to treat. Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Linzess dosage. Missed dose If you miss your dose of Linzess, you should skip your missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses of Linzess at once to make up for the missed dose. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. Linzess and overdose If you use more Linzess than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you do not use more Linzess than your doctor advises. Symptoms of an overdose Overdose symptoms of Linzess can include diarrhea. If you take more than the recommended amount of Linzess Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Linzess. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Linzess and withdrawal and dependence Linzess isn’t believed to cause withdrawal or drug dependence. Withdrawal can occur when you stop taking a medication that you take every day and your body is used to. Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or sweating. Dependence can occur if your body gets used to having a medication every day and you need the drug to feel well. It’s possible that stopping treatment with Linzess may increase constipation that you experience from your condition. This is because the drug is working to treat constipation, so stopping treatment may cause constipation to come back. In clinical trials of people taking Linzess, when they stopped treatment, it was called a “withdrawal period.” Although symptoms of constipation worsened during this time, people in the study did not experience withdrawal or drug dependence. You should not stop treatment with Linzess without talking with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for your condition if you want to stop treatment with Linzess. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Linzess for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Linzess without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Linzess that’s best for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Linzess. These additional articles might be helpful:More about Linzess. For information about other aspects of Linzess, refer to this article.Side effects. To learn about side effects of Linzess, see this article. You can also look at the Linzess prescribing information.Drug comparison. To find out how Linzess compares with Trulance, read this article.Details about your condition. For details about constipation, see our list of constipation articles. And to learn more about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), visit our IBS hub and refer to our list of related articles. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Last medically reviewed on August 13, 2022ConstipationIrritable Bowel SyndromePharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Tanya Kertsman, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on August 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related Coverage13 home remedies for constipationMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH Foods, lifestyle choices, medications, and disease can all cause constipation. However, there are many remedies available. 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